A year ago this week, it was full steam ahead on Barack Obama’s healthcare initiatives. It seemed as though the new president, who was sworn in just four days earlier, was wasting no time standardizing his imprimatur in preparation for the debate-turned-referendum on healthcare legislation. In addition to finding a CDC head, one of the key high-profile posts Obama and his administration were keen on filling at any cost (or so it seemed) was one that was finally and dutifully filled by the middle of the year – that of the U.S. Surgeon General.

The initial number one prospect? Dr. Sanjay Gupta, of course. The good doctor, who is reporting and (incidentally) practicing medicine in Haiti at this time, was subsequently the target of ridicule from those on the left and right. That the administration had the audacity (of hope?) to suggest a media darling with much in the way of perceived corporate influence with little, if any, legislative experience to qualify him for the position was the most appropriate candidate was, at best, naive … at worst, very shortsided and indifferent (read: too “corporate”) to those whom Obama wanted to help with his plans for health reform. A head scratcher the administration never fully addressed with critics.

Today, the position is filled, not by a neurosurgeon media megalomaniac, but by a family doc with an MBA (just like me!) who appears to have a passion for what the office stands for: the promotion of low-cost preventive medical services and a commitment to the president and to the American people for compassionate and accessible delivery of care. | LINK

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